Compost Worms and Coffee Grounds

I’ve been experimenting with a worm farm so some time now, and have been putting to the test this idea that worms love coffee grounds. I am pleased to report that my love for coffee grounds continues to grow :)

Thousands of worms hiding just below the surface

The worm farm that I’ve started with is one of those smallish green plastic boxes on a stand, and a tray underneath to collect the valuable vermicast. The top of it is a folding plastic lid with air holes and over the organic material I have placed some cardboard and paper sheeting, which keeps out the light, keeps in the warmth, and reduces the number of flies.

The picture below is the result of taking a scoop from the top.

I could feel the whole pile move around in my hand!

What really struck me was the health of the worms. You can see from the photos that they are in great health, and also spotted many of them with the tell-tale signs of getting ready to lay eggs (from those white bulges).

These worms are full of life and in great health

See the two little ones on the left?

These worms are proof that coffee grounds are a winner

A box full of plump and healthy coffee ground reared worms.

Having a worm farm is a great thing to do

As for the amount of coffee grounds used in the compost bin, I’m adding about 20% of the total weight of scraps thrown in. They seem to be thriving on the combination, which is fairly much everything except meat, dairy, limited citrus, garlic and onion.

Have also started to throw in bird seed, with the smaller type grain for canaries and finches.

So friends, if you do not yet have a worm farm to call your own, go out and get one, or make your own – and if you are already collecting coffee grounds (don’t get me started man! But if you need a refresh my Ground to Ground Primer post should do it), just add some greens, paper, cardboard, egg shells, and seeds. Do a visual check to see if they want more, in Summer they eat more than in Winter, and clean it all out every 6 months or so.

And if there was ever any doubt about how much worms love coffee grounds, check out my video on the subject – and if you have any questions just ask.

I really want to produce an outstanding veggi garden . I think that I want a lot of worms. I have started composting with veggie’s from my garden. I want to be completly organic. Any info that you might send me will be very much appreciated

Howdy Derrick. Sounds like you might be referring to White Grubs, which are a fairly common sight in most garden soils. The best article I’ve read about them is from Pennsylvania State University, titled ‘White grubs in pastures’.

Great photos on worms and coffee grounds in compost. Been looking for a site like this because I thought I was the only one into coffee grounds and worm farming! Looks like you are creating the one reference for all things coffee grounds. My worms and compost thank you! Out of interest, how much coffee grounds for the worm farm?

Thanks Warren. I have been telling people for a while now about why do worms love coffee. Some people don’t pick up on it right away, and others think that worms like coffee, maybe a little. After many many months of trialling coffee grounds with worms, I can confirm that they love coffee!! And up to 25% of the total you give them by weight will be just fine, make sure you mix it in with the other ingredients and it doesn’t get too dry.